Letters to the Editor: The first step

In his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump famously said he was working on “the concept of a plan” to solve our country’s healthcare problems. He wasn’t and he hasn’t.

Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand says he’s working on a plan to address Iowa’s water quality/scarcity issues. An old maxim — if you’re in a hole, stop digging — suggests a necessary first step: a moratorium on the construction of new confined animal feeding operations. If the word moratorium can’t pass Sand’s lips, he’s part of the problem and not part of the solution.

Jim Walters, Iowa City

On vaccines

It’s funny I’ve never seen this brought up.  It varies because of your medical record or location, but when you enlist they usually give you 17 vaccines. Is it because the Master Sergeant would slap Junior around? Excuse me, I mean RFK Jr.

Recruits can request to opt out on vaccines on issues of health, administration or religious grounds. They can be refused or discharged, but they have to have a reason. There’s not much of that going on, reasoning, reasonable.  Does it hurt your brain that much? But when RFK Jr is asked a question it’s like there’s a glitch on your TV. If you can understand him, you’re already doing better than me. Is that why autism is brought up? Or am I cruel? Or do I just care for others? For all the young people who will have to live through this H, E, double toothpicks that MAGA has created. And that’s not one of Carlin’s seven words.

Dave Haynes, Duncombe

Signs, for your consideration

For signs emphasizing the importance of the rule of law and due process, effective messages can range from short, powerful slogans to more educational phrases.

They can draw from constitutional principles, historical figures and the core components of fairness in legal proceedings.

Short and impactful slogans

These concise phrases are ideal for quickly catching attention and making a powerful statement.

• No one is above the law.
• Equal justice under law.
• Due process is the law.
• Justice for all.
• Law, not power.
• The rule of law protects us all.

Educational and explanatory messages

For a more detailed sign, these messages can help define what the rule of law and due process mean in practice.

• Due process means: Notice, a fair hearing and an impartial judge.
• The rule of law means: Everyone is held accountable, even those in power.
• Fairness is not a favor; it’s a right guaranteed by due process.
• The law is for everyone — not just the powerful.
• Our Constitution guarantees due process and fairness for all.

Quote-based messages

Using quotes from notable figures can lend historical weight and authority to your message.

• “The safety of the people shall be the highest law”  — Marcus Tullius Cicero.
• “One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “The rule of law is indispensable to a prosperous and thriving society” — Rod Rosenstein
• “True freedom requires the rule of law and justice...” — Jonathan Sacks

Messages for specific contexts

These messages are tailored for protests, rallies or other specific situations where constitutional rights are a central concern.

• Hands off the Constitution.
• Defend the Constitution, Protect the Rule of Law.
• Protect Due Process, Stand for Liberty, Not Authoritarianism.
• This is not a partisan moment. It is a moral moment.
• The power of the people is greater than the people in power.

Brad Trom, Blooming Prairie, Minn.

Upheaval in governments worldwide

Donald Trump has a 45% approval rating, due to many factors, but overreach may be a key component. An example may be tariffs imposed on countries, many of them allies, which may not work as intended, and have upset allies, such as Canada, India, Vietnam, etc. In addition, most economists are of the opinion that such tariffs are taxes, that may accelerate inflation and unemployment. Time will tell.

Also, the number of executive orders, which can be reversed by a subsequent President, really need to be implemented by Congress; a difficult task given by a closely divided Congress.

Given that and others, it is interesting that democracies worldwide are experiencing difficulties greater than ours.  A recent example is France and the UK where the government is in complete disarray and has been for some time.  Approval ratings are in the low 30s. Most of Europe is in the same boat, with Germany stating that its “welfare state is unsustainable,” with unsustainable debt.

Rising characterized “far right” parties are surging in popularity, mainly because of mass immigration from Islamist countries resulting in increased crime and lack of assimilation, and is now seen as a threat to democracy.

Japan and South Korea have had plenty of problems with revolving Premiers too.

One would think that in the United States, Trump’s approval ratings and overreach would mean Democrats are surging in popularity. That hasn’t been the case, where Democrats have a 32% approval rating.

Mainly because the driving force in the Democratic Party is their Progressive/Socialist wing which is not popular. 

Policy examples are concern with the “rights” of illegal aliens over American citizens. An open border policy. Support for DEI, which in many respects is reverse discrimination. Support for Palestine, which historically has been supported by the terrorist organization, Hamas, supported by the terrorist state, Iran.

A soft on crime stance, where dark money groups such as the Soros Foundation, have funded DA’s that don’t want to charge criminals and want transgendered cashless bail. An obsession with transgendered people, supporting surgery and hormonal treatments for young teenagers, that may do more harm than good, according to many experts in the U.S and Europe.

Support for Socialism, including nationalizing companies, free everything; resonating in NYC and Washington, D.C., but not elsewhere.

Interesting times, for sure.

Vic Massara, Omaha, Neb.

Our new reality: It’s what Trump says it is

Is there a phrase which best describes, at the present moment, what we are witnessing with respect to the dismantling of our democracy in the United States? Answer: Yes, the words of T.S. Eliot — “Human kind cannot bear very much reality.” Okay, but whose or what reality?

Currently in America, “whose reality” is really “what” Trump says it is — shout MAGA supporters, members of the MAGA/Republican Party, Republican legislators, and some government (local, state and federal) employees. Despite a blistering pace of signing numerous Executive Orders by Mr. Trump, some of which are clearly unconstitutional and focused on disrupting the machinery of a democratic government, these same individuals “cannot bear very much [true] reality,” when they support, without discussion or objection, those measures specifically designed to support the whims of our non-Constitution-abiding President.

What is the “true” reality? Namely, Mr. Trump’s tariffs against Canada, Mexico, China and others — these measures (taxes) will increase the cost of goods coming from said countries and will be paid for by all consumers, including those MAGA/Republicans who voted for him. The Trump/MAGA reality: we will blindly support the “Make America Great Again” agenda no matter what the cost is to ordinary citizens!

What is the “true” reality? Namely, Mr. Trump’s decision to illegally terminate world-wide relief programs administered by USAID. The Trump/ MAGA reality: why should we provide aid/assistance to other countries — it is “America First” always!

What is the “true” reality? Namely, the illegal dismissal of numerous civil service employees, especially FBI agents and DOJ Attorneys, for performing their Constitutional duties. The Trump/MAGA reality: good riddance, because they believe these individuals are part both of the “swamp” and of the “deep state.”

The sad and current reality: It is all about “what" Trump says it is. However, what about the “true” reality, that is, verifiable facts, truth, decency, fairness and our democracy?

John M. Mishler, Harpswell, Maine